Right-wing activists protest against attack on cow protectors in Dharwad

A dispute over the transportation of cattle in Dharward escalated into violence on Friday evening, leaving three youths injured. Right-wing activists and BJP leaders then protested outside a police station in Dharwad.

According to police, right-wing extremist activists intercepted some Muslim youths who were transporting cattle on the premises of the APMC farm in Dharwad on Friday evening. Three Hindu youths were then attacked and injured.

According to the sources, Somashekar Chennashetty, Ganesh and Amit sustained injuries and were being treated at a government hospital in Dharwad. On receiving information, Hindutva activists along with BJP workers and leaders staged a protest rally outside Dharwad Suburban police station demanding action against the attackers.

The protesters alleged that although cow slaughter is prohibited by law, some anti-social elements are involved in illegal transportation of cows to the slaughterhouses. They alleged that the police are remaining mute spectators instead of taking action against the law violators.

Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar came to pacify the troublemakers. BJP MP and Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad, along with former MP Amrut Desai and others joined the protests and demanded that an immediate complaint be filed against the attackers of the Hindu youth.

He threatened to hold a protest if the police failed to register a case and arrest the accused. The protest was later withdrawn after the police commissioner assured that necessary action would be taken.